Operation Radar to catch rogue traders; Ann Jackson, trading standards officer; picture by Adrian Judd; for EDP Ben Kendall

A woman whose elderly mother has been conned out of tens and thousands of pounds has warned others to be wary of scams.

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The call comes after Norfolk County Council’s trading standards officers revealed that scamsters were continuing to find ways to try to con money out of people living in the county.

Latest figures revealed that more than 460 scam mailings were placed in the council’s “scamnesty” bins earlier this year.

Among the mailings were various prize draws and lottery scams, as well as other scam mailings regarding clairvoyant services and slimming pills.

Calls received by trading standards officers from the public during January to April also highlighted that con artists are trying to dupe householders over the telephone with 50pc of all public contact to the department relating to scam phone calls.

A woman, who wanted to remain anonymous to protect her mother’s identity, said that her 85-year-old mum has been a victim of scam mailings for several years.

Her mum, who lives south of Norwich, sends cheques to “Chris”, “Guy O’Orso” and “Morgan T” on a regular basis.

The woman has tried to stop her mum, who lost her husband earlier this year and suffers from the early stages of dementia, from sending off the cheques, but her mum will not believe they are scams and will even resort to taking a taxi to the sorting office if no one will post the envelopes for her.

“Mum is one of hundreds and thousands if not millions of people to be targeted,” the woman said. “It’s heartbreaking that there are these shysters out there who are taking advantage and won’t give up until their have squeezed your parent dry.

“A lot of people start being scammed because they trust a publication they already know and they think they can’t possible be a scam.

“If anything promises you just what you wished for – forget it.”

Ann Jackson, senior trading standards officer, also warned that February’s scamnesty revealed that a lot of people, young and old, fell victim to a computer scam where they are warned that their machine has a virus.

Anyone wishing to report a scam or who would like advice should call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506

you know anyone affected by a scam? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk